UK: Wirsol Solar and Corby to create "solar city"

Wirsol Solar UK Ltd and Corby Borough Council have joined forces to install PV systems on "as many council owned properties as practicalities permit" in Corby, England.

The partnership will see PV systems installed on council-owned properties in Corby, England. Image: Wikipedia/Tom Walker.

The aim is to create the country’s first "solar city". The council is also looking to become the first carbon free council in the UK.

The partnership between Wirsol and Corby Borough council will see PV installed on the council’s full range of properties, which include industrial units, retail parades, community centers, sports facilities and land based installations.

Wirsol was chosen from a total of 33 European companies to become Corby’s strategic partner as part of a wider council program, which will also cover its 4,800 residential properties. The council says that a shortlist of three companies has been drawn up for the residential alliance, which will be announced later this spring.

In launching the strategic alliance, Council Leader, Councilor Pat Fawcett said: "This is a win-win situation for the people and businesses of Corby and the quality of the environment they live in. The company will be training locally so it will generate jobs and provide an opportunity for Corby to become a centre of excellence for renewable energy technology and production.

"The great news is that this will not cost local residents a penny in Council Tax, it will be more than paid for by the government’s feed-in tariff, providing an alternate source of public funding at a time of deep cuts in mainstream Government grants."

Peter Davies, managing director of Wirsol Solar UK added: "We are delighted to be partnering Corby Borough Council in what will be the first major roll-out of solar photovoltaic energy on commercial property undertaken by any local authority anywhere in the UK."